“Keep in mind that every place has its pros and cons. And every country has
pockets where living is easier, or cheaper, than another,” she says. “In
Ecuador, for instance, some expats live in small towns, like Cotacachi, in
cooler mountain climates. Others live in fishing villages on the coast. And
still more choose cosmopolitan cities like Quito and Cuenca.”

The same is true of Mexico, Sheridan says, which last year earned the top spot
on the Retirement Index. “Living in a resort city like Puerto Vallarta is more
expensive, and arguably more stressful, than living in a smaller and
lesser-known town like Tepic, just a few hours north.”

This is the 17th year that International Living, founded in 1981, has compiled
its Annual Retirement Index.

The Best Place in the World to Retire, Says International Living – Reuters

via retiring mexico – Google News on 9/1/09

The Best Place in the World to Retire, Says International Living Reuters The same is true of Mexico, Sheridan says, which last year earned the top spot on the Retirement Index. "Living in a resort city like Puerto Vallarta is … and more »

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As the current municipal administration enters the last 6 months of it’s 3-year term, the much announced process of beach certifications is now being presented to the public. The Mexican Institute of Certifications considers Playa Camarones (From the Hotel Rosita to the Hotel Premier) as a “Playa Limpia.” Official announcement during the Fifth Conference of Clean Beaches scheduled for Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, August 13-15.

In order to qualify, a public beach must be found to be completely clean. In an area of 100 m2, there cannot be more than 5 cigarette Public Beachesbutts or any cans or beer bottles over a period of 12 weeks. Public Services of Puerto Vallarta have spent considerable time placing garbage containers and cleaning this beach to obtain this certification. Also, considerable municipal funds have been spent to gain this certification.

Certification and Public Beaches of Puerto Vallarta – PV Mirror

via nuevo vallarta – Google News on 8/31/09

PV Mirror

Certification and Public Beaches of Puerto Vallarta PV Mirror Official announcement during the Fifth Conference of Clean Beaches scheduled for Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, August 13-15. In order to qualify, a public beach …

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Many artist enjoy Vallarta, they all come unannounced

What celebs did last summer – New York Post

via puerto vallarta – Google News on 9/15/09

What celebs did last summer New York Post Puerto Vallarta — I love it there. It was nice and quiet because of the swine flu! I went to South Africa. The Diamond Empowerment Fund sent me and my …

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Should Medicare extend to Mexico?

U.S. senior citizens living in Mexico should have their medical care covered by Medicare, says Paul Crist, a former senator’s aid who now lives in Puerto Vallarta. In the current debate over health care, Crist’s idea seems to be gaining ground.

Right now, retired U.S. citizens cannot claim Medicare benefits for treatment received in Mexico—or Costa Rica, or France, or anywhere else in the world, for that matter–even though they paid into the Medicare system throughout their working lives.

Crist, a former aid to Sen. Paul Sarbanes, D-Md., recently founded the non-profit Americans for Medicare In Mexico, which has lobbied 85 members in the U.S. Congress to get Medicare accepted south of the border. More>>

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After all, can there be anyone who has suffered the slings and arrows of misfortune more in the past year than the Latin American country's tourism industry?

The industry's struggles make the Liberals' ballooning deficit and deflating approval rating issues seem pretty tame by comparison. First, a worldwide economic downturn of unprecedented scope decimated the number of international travellers visiting the country; then a tiny Mexican village became ground zero for a swine flu pandemic; and now hurricanes and all-around nasty weather batters its Pacific coastline.

Once the skies clear, just as they have for centuries, the Mexican people will rebuild and come back better and stronger than ever.

As the industry heads into an all-important winter season, an improving global economic outlook should help their effort, as should airfare/ accommodation deals too good for Canadian travellers to pass up.

If that's not enough, here's a list from A to Z of what the country has to offer. More>>

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Wedding dresses: Brides on the beach

Given the right royal ruckus that surrounded Lord Freddie Windsor and Sophie Winkleman’s wedding on Saturday, one could have forgiven the couple for wishing they had said a firm ‘No’ to Princess Pushy and run away to a desert island to get married.

Sparkling waters, golden sands, brilliant (and guaranteed) sunshine – and an absolute minimum of guests! It is hard to imagine a more romantic setting, or one further removed from the hubble-bubble of close to 500 guests at Hampton Court swigging at a dwindling supply of champagne.

The beach or hot destination wedding continues to be a celebrity choice, as well as a chiconomic option when money is tight.

The Brazilian supermodel, Gisele Bundchen, and her footballer beau, Tom Hardy, chose the Virgin Islands for their wedding in April. The same month, Denise Van Outen and Lee Mears were married in The Seychelles. Heidi Klum and Seal renewed their vows in Malibu in May, four years after their original wedding in the seaside paradise of Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta, while Gary Lineker and Danielle Bux stole away to Portofino on the Italian Riviera for their secret September wedding.

According to a survey carried out recently by You & Your Wedding magazine, 15% of weddings these days happen abroad, with the Caribbean the favourite setting, ahead of Italy in second place. More…

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Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail for America's Last Frontier

CBC.ca

Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail for America's Last Frontier Reuters Before and after the 2011 summer season in Alaska, the Disney Wonder will sailseven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. In response to guest demand, the Disney Magic will once again return to theMediterranean in 2011 with 10- and 11-night cruises sailing out of Barcelona. In addition to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, the Disney Magic will visit Tunis in northern Africa and the island nation of Malta.

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Marriott offers $999 destination weddings in Caribbean and Mexico

Some brides-to-be are busy with their personal lives and career but still would love a destination wedding away from their usual haunts. Others want the dream beach ceremony, but are on budget and can't really afford to pay for friends, family and other guests.

If this sounds vaguely familiar, there is one option that will please ladies about to wed and put them, quite literally, On Cloud Nine, thanks to Marriott resorts' latest package deal.

To celebrate 9/9/9 this resort are offering couples the opportunity to marry in the Caribbean or Mexico for only $999.

For just under a grand, the bride and groom stay free and have their wedding cake and ceremony space organized for 10 guests by a Marriott-certified wedding planner. This individual will also be on hand to help out with any last-minute snags.

The package also includes floral arrangements and a champagne toast for 10 of your nearest and dearest. The only hitch is you have to tie the knot by September 30.

These destination wedding packages are available at Paradise by Marriott resorts in Aruba, Curacao, Cancun, Grand Cayman, Puerto Vallarta, St.Thomas and St. Kitts.

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Puerto Vallarta is alive in spite of the heat in Mexico

The U.S. economic crisis has negatively impacted Mexico’s exports. 80 % of their export trade is with the United States, including their #1 export, oil, which is down 35 %. Drug trafficking has been on the rise since the 1980’s, when U.S. drug enforcement efforts closed primary trafficking routes from South America through the Caribbean and into the US and Canada.

Thus, forcing the cartels to forge new routes from Central America, through Mexico and up in to the U.S. and Canadian markets. Mexican President, Felipe Calderón’s commitment to fighting the drug trade, since coming into power in 2006, has seen escalating retaliation. The H1N1 flu scare that hit Mexico City virtually ground the country to a stand still this past spring.

All of this has created a global perception that “Mexico” is unsafe and unstable.

How that has affected the beautiful & tranquil tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, is apparent in the dramatic decrease in tourism. Already reeling from a particularly slow 2008/09 high season, the spring H1N1 flu pandemic saw tourism drop a reported 50-70% over previous years.

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